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Secrets of Strong Starters: SparkPeople SlideShow

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The Secrets of Strong Starters

Strong Starters lost twice the weight in their first two weeks and more than tripled their chances of reaching their goal weight. You can, too, with these NEW tips you can only find in the paperback version of The Spark. Here are three of the secrets successful members have used to reach their goals!

How Did This Cake Decorator Lose 57 Pounds?

30-year-old Heather Johnson of Jacksonville, Florida
started at 202 pounds. See how she looks today!

Heather After

Her Strong Start Secret: Stop thinking only about your weight!

The strong starters we surveyed viewed their #1 goal as "building a strong foundation of healthy habits." A majority of false starters made losing several pounds in their first two weeks their #1 goal, which backfired.

Heather's advice: "Don't try to overhaul every unhealthy habit at once. Take it easy with just a few healthy choices, like drinking adequate water, getting enough rest, and moving your body at least 10 minutes a day. Remember that it is a process and that quick fixes don't last. Build a strong foundation from the beginning, and then you can slowly and steadily add to it, brick by brick, and build a healthier life. Don't forget that you have support at SparkPeople and that you're not alone as you start out on your journey toward better health."

How Did This MBA Lose 100 Pounds and Become the Buffest Mom on the Block?

Here's 30-year-old Roni Yonka of Winston-Salem, North Carolina at her starting weight: 220 pounds.

Roni After

Her Strong Start Secret: Spend LESS time exercising!

On average, strong starters exercised for 30 minutes during the first two weeks; false starters for 60 minutes, suggesting that false starters burned themselves out.

Roni's advice: "For the first few weeks, I focused on making exercise a habit. I joined a gym and went for only 20 minutes at a time, but made sure it was part of my daily routine."

How Did She Lose 70 Pounds for Free, after Years of Paying for Weight-Loss Programs?

Michele Swift, a 49-year-old from Willow Creek, California is pictured here at her starting weight: 224 pounds.

Michele After

Her Strong Start Secret: Track Food and Calories!

Our survey found that both strong and false starters ranked "food tracking" as the one action that made the biggest difference in their programs. 82% of strong starters tracked food every day vs. 65% of false starters, and strong starters were twice as likely to track their calories.

Michele's advice: "The most important tools in my success were the food tracker, which I used religiously, and the community, which spurred me on each day."

Only in the Paperback Version of

Learn all about these secrets and more in the all-new Strong Start Guide found only in the paperback edition of the New York Times Best Seller The Spark!

You will earn 3 SparkPoints

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Member comments on this slideshow

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ALLEYOOP7

6/27/2012 3:43:40 PM

Is there a Spark cookbook that i can buy?

EGRAMMY

6/27/2012 2:29:42 PM

The Spark is a book I keep on my bed stand and read some of almost daily since it first came out.

EGMFROMGA

6/27/2012 2:12:41 PM

yes you can get on nook. I have it on my nook

NESA64

6/27/2012 1:16:51 PM

Can I get it on the Nook

CINDYSUE64

6/27/2012 12:48:33 PM

As much as I would like this to be quick and easy, I know that it as a process. I didn't get to 350# overnight and I am not going to get to 150# any quicker. I know this is a process and I am just starting out. I appreciate the tips on how to be a Strong Starter so I can embarque on my journey with a strong, positive start.

PABELL59

6/27/2012 12:41:58 PM

Does the Kindle edition have the same information as the paperback edition, including how to jumpstart losing for the first two weeks?

ROJAKHAN

6/27/2012 11:45:08 AM

Loved it

TMOORE073

6/27/2012 11:20:51 AM

Great advice. It is a process that takes a while to get it all right. Everybody body I'd different to. What might work for one person may not work for another. A lot of it is trial & error. Congrats on your weight loss & healthier lifestyle!

THINGONJERI

6/27/2012 11:15:13 AM

Quite encouraging. . .We shall soldier on the journey aint for the meek. Congrats on your success

JDFAN448HS

6/27/2012 11:01:24 AM

Here's to brick by brick & a copy for myself and a friend.

MEWZIKGIRL

6/27/2012 10:49:43 AM

Inspiring! Love these before and after stories. And the tips are so easy to implement. Practical advice - gotta love it!

WALLINMW

6/27/2012 10:37:34 AM

Stay motivated!

MIZMAC4

6/27/2012 10:04:41 AM

Good reinforcement advice. Especially building a good foundation. I need to go back to that one and restart.

LOVYA1

6/27/2012 7:17:05 AM

Gloria 1942, I'm right behind you at 68. Getting the water down by putting about 1 tablespoon of lemon or lime jc in it with about 6 drops of stevia liquid sweetener. Can get it at Whole foods. Makes the water taste like weak lemonaide. I use seltzer water with lemon on occasion just for another taste. Good luck to both of us. Lovya1